Systems and methods for network routing in a multiple backbone network architecture

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a network architecture include a backbone node having a plurality of independent routers or switches connected in a matrix, wherein the matrix includes a plurality of stages of routers or switches, to form a node having a node switching capacity that is greater than the node switching capacity of the individual routers or switches. A method includes assigning one of a plurality of backbone networks to a destination network address, associating a next hop loopback address with the destination network address, and advertising the destination network address in combination with the next hop loopback address through the selected backbone network address.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/565,563, filed Nov. 30, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/347,810, filed Feb. 3, 2006, and entitled“Ethernet-based Systems and Methods for Improved Network Routing”, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/650,312,filed Feb. 4, 2005 and entitled “Systems And Methods For ImprovedNetwork Routing”, all of which are incorporated herein in theirentireties.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to network routing, and morespecifically to systems and methods for network routing in a multiplebackbone network architecture.

BACKGROUND

High speed internet prices continue to drop, but the underlying costs ofmaintaining and operating the networks remain relatively high. One ofthe main factors in keeping the unit costs high is the high cost for theterabit Multiple protocol Label Switching (MPLS) backbone routers.Accordingly, as bandwidth requirements grow, the costs will likely growas well.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a network include a backbone node that includes aplurality of independent routers or switches connected in a matrix,wherein the matrix includes a plurality of stages of routers or switchesto form a node having a node switching capacity that is greater than thenode switching capacity of the individual routers or switches. Therouters or switches may be connected in an N×M Internet Protocol (IP)based CLOS matrix, wherein N>1 is the number of stages in the matrix andM>1 is the number of routers or switches in each stage. Traffic may bedirected among the routers or switches using IP or Ethernet routingprotocols. Traffic may be load balanced using one or more load balancingtechniques selected from a group consisting of equal cost loadbalancing, traffic engineering, or flow-based load balancing. A numberof links may be provisioned on the routers or switches in a manner thatsupports the traffic balancing technique performed by the node.

Various embodiments of a network include a plurality of backbonenetworks supporting communications between a source communication siteand a destination communication site, a source provider edge device incommunication with the plurality of backbone networks and a sourceprovider network at the source communication site, and a destinationprovider edge device in communication with the plurality of backbonenetworks and a destination provider network at the destinationcommunication site, wherein the destination provider edge device isconfigured to select one of the backbone networks from the plurality ofbackbone networks to handle communications associated with a destinationaddress in the destination provider network.

In various embodiments, the destination provider edge device selects thebackbone network using an external least-cost routing protocol. Thedestination provider edge device may associate a next hop loopbackaddress and/or a backbone identifier with the destination address,wherein the backbone identifier identifies the selected backbonenetwork. The destination provider edge device may further communicate anadvertisement through one or more of the plurality of backbone networks,wherein the advertisement includes at least the destination address andthe next hop loopback address. The source provider edge device can beconfigured to receive the advertisement and write the destinationaddress and the next hop loopback address to a route map, wherebypackets subsequently sent from the source network to the destinationaddress are routed to the next hop loopback address over the selectedbackbone network. The destination provider edge device may communicatethe advertisement during an open shortest path first (OSPF) protocolprocess. The advertisement may further include the backbone identifier.

The destination provider edge device may associate the backboneidentifier and the next hop loopback address with the destinationaddress in a route map. The destination provider network may include afirst destination provider network and the destination address mayinclude a first destination address. The destination provider edgedevice may further be in communication with a second destinationprovider network including a second destination address at a seconddestination communication site, wherein the destination provider edgedevice is further configured to use an external least-cost routingprotocol to select a second one of the backbone networks from theplurality of backbone networks to handle communications associated withthe second destination address. The destination provider edge device maybe further configured to associate a second next hop loopback addresswith the second destination address. The source provider edge networkmay be configured to assign a lower routing cost to the second next hoploopback address than a routing cost assigned to the next hop loopbackaddress associated with the first destination address, whereby packetsaddressed to the second destination address are routed through thesecond backbone network.

Embodiments of a method for routing packets to a first destinationnetwork address include steps of assigning a first one of a plurality ofbackbone networks to the first destination network address, associatinga first next hop loopback address with the first destination networkaddress, and advertising the first destination network address incombination with the first next hop loopback address through the firstbackbone network address, whereby packets addressed to the firstdestination network address are routed through the first backbonenetwork. The method may further include associating a first communityidentifier representing the first backbone network with the firstdestination network address. The method may further include creating aroute map including an association between the first destination networkaddress and the first next hop loopback address and an associationbetween the first destination network address and the first communityidentifier.

Some embodiments of the method may still further include assigning assecond one of the plurality of backbone networks to a second destinationnetwork address, associating a second next hop loopback address with thesecond destination network address, and advertising the seconddestination network address in combination with the second next hoploopback address through the second backbone network address, wherebypackets addressed to the second destination network address are routedthrough the second backbone network. The first backbone network and thesecond backbone network may be different backbone networks.

In accordance with various embodiments of a method, packets addressed tothe first destination network address may be routed through the firstbackbone network to the first next hop loopback address using anInternal Gateway Protocol. The method may further include setting aninternal least cost routing metric to a provider edge site identifier.Still further, the method may include setting an internal least costrouting metric associated with the second next hop loopback address inthe second backbone network equal to a value less than another internalleast cost metric associated with the first next hop loopback address inthe second backbone network. The first destination network address andthe second destination network address may be associated with differentroutes through one or more customer edge networks.

In various embodiments of systems and methods, an edge router or corerouter associated with a backbone network may support two internal leastcost routing protocols. The router can perform a first internal leastcost routing process through a port on the router facing the backbonenetwork, and another least cost routing process through another port onthe router facing an edge network. The first backbone network may serveas a backup network to the second backbone network.

An embodiment of a computer-readable medium includes computer-executableinstructions for causing a computer to perform a process of routingpackets to a destination endpoint. An embodiment of the process includesfor each of a plurality of Internet service provider (ISP) networks,assigning the Internet service provider network to one of a plurality ofbackbone networks operating in a parallel backbone network architecture,receiving a packet addressed to a destination associated with one of theISP networks, selecting the backbone network assigned to the ISP networkassociated with the destination endpoint, and routing the packet throughthe selected backbone network.

In accordance with some embodiments of the computer-readable medium,selecting the backbone network includes accessing a least-cost route mapto determine which backbone network provides least cost routing to theISP network associated with the destination endpoint. Selecting thebackbone network may further include determining an address of an edgenode associated with the selected backbone network. Embodiments of theprocess may further include receiving an advertisement from a node ineach of the ISP networks and determining a least-cost backbone networkfrom the plurality of backbone networks through which to route each ofthe advertisements.

Still further, embodiments of the process may further include furthersetting a next hop loopback address for each of the backbone networks,such that an internal least-cost routing process in each of the backbonenetworks will cause packets destined for the ISP network assigned to thebackbone network to be routed to the next hop loopback address. Theprocess may further include, for each of the backbone networks embeddingthe associated next hop address in an advertisement routed through thebackbone network. Further yet, the process may also involve assigning acost metric to each next hop loopback address based on routes associatedwith the next hop loopback addresses. Assigning a cost to a next hoploopback address may include assigning a cost metric to the loopbackaddress that is lower than the cost metric for all other next hoploopback addresses for routes through the backbone network associatedwith the next hop loopback address.

In accordance with an embodiment of a network architecture, the networkarchitecture includes a plurality of backbone networks, wherein eachbackbone network is configured to route packets therethrough from asource network to a destination network, and a provider edge deviceconfigured to select one of the backbone networks through which to routea packet, wherein the provider edge device selects a least-cost backbonenetwork assigned to the destination network, wherein the least-costbackbone network is selected from the plurality of backbone networks.The provider edge device may be further configured to assign one of theplurality of backbone networks to the destination network based on aleast-cost routing protocol.

Still further the provider edge device may be configured to receive anadvertisement message from the destination network and route theadvertisement message through the assigned backbone network, where byother provider edge devices route packets destined for the destinationnetwork through the assigned backbone network. The provider edge devicemay be further configured to embed a next hop loopback address in theadvertisement message. The provider edge device may be furtherconfigured to assign a cost metric to the next hop loopback address. Thecost metric may be chosen relative to other cost metrics associated withother next hop loopback addresses based on a route associated with thenext hop loopback address.

Further yet, the provider edge device may be configured to receive anadvertisement message associated with another network and assign a nexthop loopback address included in the advertisement message to thebackbone network from which the advertisement message was received. Theprovider edge device may assign the next hop loopback address to thebackbone network in a route map. The provider edge device may be furtherconfigured to build a least-cost routing table that associates each of aplurality of next hop loopback addresses with a cost metric based on thebackbone network associated with the next hop loopback address.

In some embodiments of a network architecture including multiplebackbone networks, at least one of backbone networks may serve as abackup network to at least one of the other backbone networks. At leastone of the backbone networks may include a backbone node including anN×M IP-implemented CLOS matrix of Ethernet switches, where N>1 is thenumber of stages in the matrix and M>1 is the number or switches in eachstage.

An embodiment of a method for providing communications between providernetworks, includes for each of a plurality of communication routesthrough one or more provider networks: receiving an advertisement havinga network address associated with the communication route, selecting abackbone network from a plurality of backbone networks using an externalleast-cost routing protocol, associating a first next hop loopbackaddress with the destination address, wherein the first next hoploopback address is reachable via the selected backbone network,assigning a first cost to the next hop loopback address, wherein thefirst cost is less than a second cost associated with a second next hoploopback address reachable by another backbone network, advertising thefirst next hop loopback address over the plurality of backbone networks,wherein advertising includes indicating the first cost of accessing thefirst next hop loopback address via the selected backbone network.

Yet another embodiment of a method includes assigning a destinationnetwork address to a backbone network selected from a plurality ofbackbone networks using an external least cost routing protocol,associating a next hop loopback address with the destination networkaddress, wherein the next hop loopback address corresponds to a port ona destination provider edge device in communication with the selectedbackbone network, notifying a source provider edge device that the nexthop loopback address is reachable with least cost routing via theselected backbone network. Notifying the source provider edge device mayinclude performing an internal least cost routing protocol between thesource provider edge device and a source core router device in theselected backbone network. The method may further include performing theinternal least cost routing protocol process between the source corerouter device and a destination core router device to determine a costassociated with the next hop loopback address.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a three-stage multichassisEthernet router (MER) in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of multiple parallel backbones(N×BB) connected to peer and edge networks in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a combination of themultichassis Ethernet router shown in FIG. 1 and the multiple parallelbackbones shown in FIG. 2 connected between sites in accordance withanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a multichassis Ethernetrouter-based core network in parallel with one or more Multiple protocolLabel Switching (MPLS) core networks providing packet routing betweensites, wherein a subset of the customer/provider packet traffic isregroomed or migrated to a second customer/provider edge network inaccordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a MER-based backbone network inparallel with an MPLS backbone network providing packet routing betweena single customer/provider edge network and a peering edge network inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of multiple core local areanetworks (LANs) communicably connected between one or more core routersand one or more edge routers in accordance with another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of an alternative LAN in themiddle (LIM).

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary network architecture including multipleparallel backbone networks, wherein customer addresses are advertisedand associated with next hop loopback addresses, whereby packetsdestined for each of those addresses are routed through a selectedbackbone network.

FIG. 9 illustrates the exemplary network architecture shown in FIG. 8,wherein advertisements are tagged with backbone identifiers to indicatedestination-based backbone routes, and costs are assigned to next hoploopback addresses to enforce routing of packets through an associatedbackbone network.

FIG. 10 illustrates a dual internal cost-based link state generationprocess in which edge routers on the edges of backbone networks in amultiple parallel backbone network architecture run two internalcost-based link state generation processes for a wide area networkfacing side and a local area network facing side.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm for carrying outrouting in a multiple backbone network architecture in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a general purpose computing device in whichembodiments of the invention can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments include systems and methods that provide for multiplebackbone networks to support communications between networks. A firstrouting protocol is used by a provider edge device to select a backbonenetwork from the multiple backbone networks for handling communicationsassociated with one or more associated network addresses. The provideredge network device assigns a port with a next hop loopback address tothe associated one or more network addresses. A second routing protocolis used to notify other provider edge network devices that the selectedbackbone network should be used to carry packets addressed to theassociated one or more network addresses.

Exemplary networks that utilize the services of backbone networks areInternet service provider (ISP) or network service providers (NSPs)networks that provide end user network services to home and businessInternet users. ISPs typically have networks at multiple geographicsites where the backbone network also has provider edge network devicesto interface with ISP networks. More specifically, embodiments providefor assigning one of a plurality of backbone networks to handlecommunications associated with an ISP network address. An external leastcost routing protocol process, such as border gateway protocol (BGP),can be used to assign a backbone network to an ISP network address. Aninternal least cost routing protocol process can be used to ensure thatpackets addressed to the ISP network address are routed through theassigned backbone.

In accordance with an embodiment, a provider edge node carries out anexternal least cost routing protocol to select a least cost backboneassociated with a given ISP network address. The provider edge nodeassigns a next hop loopback address to the given ISP network address.The next hop loopback address is reachable through the selected backbonenetwork. The next hop loopback address is advertised in combination withthe given ISP network address over one or more of the backbone networks.An internal least cost routing protocol process is carried out to notifyone or more other provider edge devices that the next hop loopbackaddress is reachable at least cost through the selected backbonenetwork. In some embodiments, a backbone identifier is associated with agiven ISP network address, along with the associated next hop loopbackaddress. One or more provider edge nodes can update or create a routemap to include an association between the given ISP network address, thebackbone identifier, and the next hop loopback address.

In accordance with various embodiments, an external least cost routingprotocol process can be carried out for multiple ISP network addressesbeing advertised to a backbone service provider network. Because thereare multiple backbones in the backbone service provider network, one ormore of the ISP network addresses may be assigned a backbone networkthat is different from the backbone network that is assigned to one ormore other ISP network addresses. The one or more ISP network addressescould be associated with a single ISP network or multiple ISP networks.As such, different ISP network addresses in one ISP network could beassigned different backbone networks.

In various embodiments, to ensure that packets are routed to aparticular next hop loopback address via an assigned backbone network,the next hop loopback address is tagged with an identifier for theassigned backbone network. An advertisement can include a tag associatedwith the assigned backbone network and/or the next hop loopback address,in order to identify a route through the assigned backbone network tohandle communications for associated network addresses.

According to some embodiments, the backbone network selection processand the existence of multiple backbone networks is invisible to the ISPnetworks and endpoints associated with the ISP network addresses. Assuch, backbone network service with multiple backbone networks need notappear any different than backbone network service with a singlebackbone network. Although in various embodiments a particular backbonenetwork is assigned to each ISP network address, in some embodiments,one or more other backbone networks can be used as backup networks forthe assigned backbone network.

Typically, a backbone network service provider initially has onebackbone network. The backbone network service provider may add one ormore backbone networks to the backbone network service provider network.When one or more backbone networks are added, ISP network addressesand/or routes may be migrated from the initial backbone network to oneor more of the new backbone networks. Migrating involves reassigning oneor more ISP network addresses to the new backbone networks. Aredistribution process can be performed to cause provider edge devicesto route packets to a destination ISP network address via the backbonenetwork assigned to the destination ISP network address. An embodimentof the redistribution process includes core nodes on a new backbonenetwork carrying out an internal least cost routing protocol processwith provider edge nodes and another internal least cost routingprotocol process with core nodes throughout the new backbone network.The next hop loopback address associated with the new backbone networkand associated migrated ISP network addresses are advertised across thenew backbone network with a lower cost metric than the a correspondingcost metric for the initial backbone network.

Some embodiments relate to a network architecture that includes abackbone node having of independent routers or switches connected inmatrix configuration resulting in a node switching capacity that isgreater than the node switching capacity of the individual routers. Therouters or switches may be connected in an N×M Internet Protocol (IP)implemented CLOS matrix, where N>1 is the number of stages in the matrixand M>1 is the number of routers or switches in each stage. Using thisnetwork architecture and matrix, the traffic is directed among therouters or switches using standard IP or Ethernet routing protocols andload balancing techniques that may include but are not limited to equalcost load balancing, traffic engineering, or flow based load balancing.The links are provisioned on the routers in a manner to bestinteroperate with traffic balancing of the node.

DEFINITIONS

A “module” is a self-contained functional component. A module may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

The terms “connected” or “coupled” and related terms are used in anoperational sense and are not necessarily limited to a direct connectionor coupling.

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and thelike generally mean the particular feature, structure, or characteristicfollowing the phrase is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment ofthe present invention. Importantly, such phases do not necessarily referto the same embodiment.

If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”,“could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, thatparticular component or feature is not required to be included or havethe characteristic.

The terms “responsive” and “in response to” includes completely orpartially responsive.

The term “computer-readable media” is media that is accessible by acomputer, and can include, without limitation, computer storage mediaand communications media. Computer storage media generally refers to anytype of computer-readable memory, such as, but not limited to, volatile,non-volatile, removable, or non-removable memory. Communication mediarefers to a modulated signal carrying computer-readable data, such as,without limitation, program modules, instructions, or data structures.

The term “backbone network” or “backbone” refers to a network thatcommunicably connects two or more networks or subnetworks and providescommunication traffic routing therebetween. A backbone network istypically geographically distributed to provide routing between multiplegeographic sites. Thus, in some cases, a backbone network is a wide areanetwork (WAN). Backbone networks include core routers and other nodesthat facilitate packet routing.

A “customer network” or “provider network” are examples of third partynetworks that may interface with a provider edge network or device tothereby communicate across one or more backbone networks.

A “customer edge device” or “provider edge device” are devices thatinterface with third party networks, such as customer networks, and oneor more backbone networks to route traffic between the third partynetworks and the one or more backbone networks. Typically, customer edgedevices interface with one or more core nodes, such as core routers, inthe backbone networks to route communication traffic to and from thebackbone networks.

A “customer edge networks”, “provider edge network”, or “peering edgenetwork” are networks communicably between third party networks and oneor more backbone networks, and include one or more customer edgedevices. In some embodiments, a local area network (LAN) is communicablylocated between backbone network core nodes and customer edge networknodes.

Various systems and processes have been developed to provide backbonenetwork routing between networks. These systems can be used individuallyor together to form a cost effective, scalable core backbone networkand/or edge network. The systems include a multi-chassis Ethernet router(“MER”), a multiple parallel backbone configuration (“N×BB”), and a LANin the middle (“LIM”) configuration.

Multi-Chassis Ethernet Router (MER)

One way to scale backbone networks larger at lower costs is to use anetwork or matrix of Ethernet switches to perform the functionscurrently being performed by expensive routers. These Ethernet switchmatrices can be used in place of the terabit Multiple protocol LabelSwitching (MPLS) backbone routers, as well as in place of gigabit accessrouters at the edge of a network backbone. By using the Ethernet switchmatrices, unit costs can be lowered.

While cost is a concern, scalability (i.e., the ability to grow withbandwidth demands) is also a concern when designing and implementing newsystems. In fact, some forecasters are estimating a significant demandgrowth. Thus, the ability to scale the network at reasonable costs maybe desirable in some cases.

In one embodiment, the MER will comprise a multi-stage CLOS matrix(e.g., 3 stages) router built out of Ethernet switches. The MER will useIP protocols to distribute traffic load across multiple switch stages.This design leverages existing technology, but allows scalability byadding additional Ethernet switches, additional stages, a combination orboth, or new, inexpensive MERs.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of one embodiment of a 3-stage MER100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In thisparticular embodiment, the MER utilizes 4 Ethernet switches 102 in eachof the three stages 104 a-104 c. Again, additional switches 102 orstages can be added. In this particular example, as illustrated by thearrows in FIG. 1, traffic destined out L34 arrives at L11. L11 equallydistributes the traffic across L21-L24 using one or more load balancingor distribution methods. L21-L24 forwards traffic to L34, which combinesthe flows and forwards them out the necessary links. This designprovides a dramatic increase in scale. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, a 4×MER 100 provides a 4× increase in node size. The maximumincrease for a 3 stage fabric is (n{circumflex over (0)}2)/2, where n isthe number of switches used in each stage. Five stage and seven stagematrices will further increase scalability.

The Multi-Chassis Ethernet Router 100 may be viewed as a packet-levelCLOS matrix. While CLOS matrices are known for use in bit-levelapplications, CLOS matrices have not been implemented in a network ofEthernet switches operating on the packet level, which is what thisparticular implementation provides. Further, the CLOS matrices typicallyimplemented in the very expensive MPLS routers are implemented usingproprietary software and are encompassed into a single box. In thisparticular implementation, multiple inexpensive Ethernet switches areformed into the matrix, and the CLOS distribution is implemented usingIP protocols, rather than a proprietary software. Further, in thisparticular implementation, the CLOS matrix is implemented at each hop ofthe switches, instead of in a single device. Other protocols can be usedin other embodiments.

After the Ethernet switches 102 are connected together, the packetsand/or packet cells can be distributed to the different stages 104 ofthe matrix using flow based load balancing. Internal gateway protocols(“IGP”) can be used to implement the load balancing techniques. In someembodiments, the MER 100 can utilize equal cost load balancing, so thateach third-stage box (i.e., L31, L32, L33 and L34) associated with adestination receives the same amount of traffic. For example, if boxesL1, L2 and L3 all communicate with a New York-based provider edge siteor router, each box will receive the same amount of traffic. Thistechnique is relatively easy to implement and scales well, when new MERsare implemented.

In another embodiment, traffic on the MER 100 can be distributed usingbandwidth aware load balancing techniques, such as traffic engineeringtechniques (e.g., MPLS traffic engineering) that send packets to theleast busy switch. In one embodiment, the middle layer 104 b can run thetraffic engineering functionality, thus making intelligent routingdecisions.

In yet another embodiment, traffic awareness techniques in the middlelayer 104 b (i.e., L21, L22, L23, and L24) can be used to determine whatthe downstream traffic requirements might be. That is, the middle layer104 b can determine demand placed on the third or last layer 104 c andthen determine routing based on the capacity needs. In this embodiment,the middle layer 104 b can receive demand or capacity information fromthe last (e.g., third) layer 104 c via traffic engineering-tunnels(e.g., MPLS tunnels) or via layer 2 VLANS. Alternatively, changes to IGPcan be leveraged to communicate bandwidth information to the middlelayer 104 b. For example, switch L31 can communicate to the middle layer104 b (e.g., via IGP or other protocols) that it is connected to a NewYork-based site with 30 Gb of traffic. The middle layer 104 b can usethis protocol information, as well as information from the otherswitches, to load balance the MER 100.

In another embodiment, an implementation of the MER 100 can use acontrol box or a route reflector to manage the MER 100. In someembodiments, the route reflector or control box can participate in orcontrol routing protocols, keep routing statistics, trouble shootproblems with the MER, scale routing protocols, or the like. In oneembodiment the route reflector can implement the routing protocols. So,instead of a third stage in a MER communicating with a third stage inanother MER, a route reflector associated with a MER could communicatewith a route reflector associated with the other MER to determinerouting needs and protocols. The route reflector could utilize bordergateway protocols (“BGP”) or IGP route reflection protocols could beused (e.g., the route reflector could act as an area border router).

Multiple Parallel Backbones (N×BB)

Another implementation that can be utilized to scale a core backbonenetwork is to create multiple parallel backbone networks. One embodimentof a multiple parallel backbone architecture 200 is illustrated in FIG.2. With the N×BB configuration 200, traffic can be split across multiplebackbones to increase scale. More specifically, each backbone networkcan be selectively assigned to one or more network addresses, such thatthe assigned backbone network handles communication traffic (e.g.,packets) associated with the assigned one or more network addresses.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the multiple parallel backbonearchitecture 200 has deployed therein a series of parallel backbonenetworks 202 a-202 e between core sites. The backbones can use largeMPLS routers, Ethernet switches, the MERs discussed above, or any othersuitable routing technology. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment,peers 204 a-204 n can connect to the backbones 202 through a commonpeering infrastructure or edge 206 connected to each backbone, andcustomers 208 a-208 n can connect to specific backbone edges 210 a-210e. That is, peers 204 are connected to the parallel backbone networks202 (BB, BB1, BB2, BB3 and BB4) through a single peering edge 206, andcustomers 208 are connected to the backbones 202 through separate edgenetworks 210. In FIG. 2, each backbone network 202 has its own customeredge 210 network. In alternative embodiments, however, only one or justa couple of edge networks 210 might be utilized (similar to one peeringedge). The edge network 210 also can use different routing technologies,including the MERs discussed above. The use of MERs can help withscaling of the peering edge 206.

The arrows in FIG. 2 illustrate an example of traffic flows 212 in aparallel backbone network architecture 200. In this example, traffic 214destined for customers A-Z 208 a-208 n arrives from Peer #2 204 b.Devices on the peering edge network 206, such as provider edge devices,split traffic across the multiple backbones 202 based on the finaldestination of the traffic (e.g., peering edge 206 can distributetraffic based on IP destination prefix). Then each of the backbones 202forwards traffic through its associated customer edge 210 to the finalcustomer 208 destination.

This multiple parallel backbone network 200 can have many advantages.For example, parallel backbone networks 202 make switching needs smallerin each backbone, so Ethernet switches and/or MERs can be used. Inaddition, the parallel backbone configuration 200 can leverage existingrouting and control protocols, such as BGP tools like trafficengineering, confederations, MBGP, and the like. The use of the trafficengineering protocols can help steer traffic to the appropriate backbonenetwork(s) 202. Further, with the existence of multiple backbonenetworks 202, fault tolerant back-up systems can be created for missioncritical applications. That is, one or more backbone networks 202 can beused for disaster recovery and/or back-up purposes.

Further, in yet other embodiments, the parallel backbones 202 can beorganized and utilized based on different factors. For example, a peer204 could have one or more backbone networks 202 dedicated to it.Similarly, a customer network 208 (e.g., an ISP network) could have oneor more backbone networks 202 dedicated to it. In yet other embodiments,customers 208 can be allocated across backbones 202 based on trafficand/or services. For example, Voice Over IP (VoIP) might use one or morebackbones 202, while other IP service might use other backbones 202.Thus, backbones 202 can be provisioned by peer 204, customer 208,service, traffic volume or any other suitable provisioning parameter.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a combination of multi-chassisEthernet routers (MER) 302 and parallel backbones (N×BB) 304 can be usedfor even greater scaling. For example, as illustrated in the example inFIG. 3, a 300 G Ethernet switch 306 capacity could be increased 64× to19,200 G using a combination of MER 302 and parallel backbones 304. Inthis example, an 8×MER 310 and an 8× parallel backbone architecture 312is combined to obtain a 64× scalability multiple parallel MER-basednetwork architecture 314. Scalability can be even larger if larger MERs302 (e.g., 16× or 32×) and/or more parallel backbones 304 are used.Thus, these technologies used alone and/or together can help scalecapacity greatly.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, an Ethernet-based core network 402(e.g, a core network based on MERs 404) can be added as a parallel corenetwork 402 to existing MPLS core networks 406, thus adding easyscalability at a reasonable price without having to replace existingcore networks 402. The new parallel core network 402 and the MPLS corenetwork 406 are interconnected at peering sites in a peering edgenetwork 408. In this implementation, some existing customers as well asnew customers could be migrated 410 from an existing customer edgenetwork 412 to a new customer edge network 414. Traffic for thecustomers who are migrated to the new customer edge network 414 could berouted to the new Ethernet-core backbone 402. Alternatively, specificservices, such as VoIP could be put on the new backbone 402, whileleaving other services on the MPLS network 406. Many different scenariosof use of the two cores could be contemplated and used.

FIG. 5 is another illustration of the Ethernet-based parallel core 502in parallel with an existing MPLS core 504. External least cost routingprotocol techniques, such as BGP techniques, can be used to select whichbackbone to use on a per destination basis. To illustrate with theembodiment of FIG. 5, destination addresses A.1 and A.2 are advertisedthrough a customer edge network 506. Candidate routes are marked with aBGP community identifier, such as community string 508 or 510 (and IPnext hop loopback address), as illustrated with advertisements 512 and514, respectively. In the particular scenario shown in FIG. 5, thecommunity strings are used in the least-cost routing process to routepackets destined for address “A.1” through backbone 0 (BB0), and toroute packets destined for address “A.2” through backbone 2 (BB2).

As such, community strings can effectively force packets through thebackbone networks based on the destination address. The selection can bedone on a route by route basis and could vary based on source. In oneembodiment, provider edge devices in the provider edge network 516select the backbone based on route. Alternatively, a customer-basedglobal policy can be used so that all traffic exiting a specific set ofcustomer parts would use the same backbone. Route selection and routemaps can be automatically generated by capacity planning tools.

LAN in the Middle (LIM)

Another network implementation that could used to scale backbone coresis the LIM. One embodiment of a LIM 602 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In theillustrated embodiment, core routers 604 a-604 n are connected to edgerouters 606 a-606 n through Ethernet switches 608 a-608 n. This is asimilar configuration to the MERs discussed above, except existing corerouters and edge routers are used in stages 1 and 3, instead of allstages using Ethernet switches. The benefit of this configuration isthat the existing routers can be scaled larger without having to replacethem with Ethernet switches. Using Ethernet switches in the middle layerand using CLOS matrices, as discussed above, will increase capacity ofthe existing core routers 604 and edge routers 606. In one embodiment,the core 604 and edge routers 606 will be responsible for provisioningthe traffic through the matrix 608.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of an alternative embodiment of aLIM 700. Customer facing provider edges (PE) 702 can, for example, have4×10 G to the LIM With a 1+1 protection, this would allow 20 G customerfacing working traffic. On the WAN facing side, each provider or corerouter (P) 704 has 4×10 G to the LIM. With 1+1 protection, this allowsat least 20 G of WAN traffic.

Routing Through Multiple Backbone Network Architecture

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary network 800 including multiple parallelbackbone networks 802 a-802 b and a provider edge device 804. Thenetwork 800 provides backbone network services to first and secondcustomer networks, such as customer network A 806 a and customer networkB 806 b. Customer network A 806 a has an associated IP address denotedhere as A.1 for ease of illustration, and customer network B 806 b hasan associated IP address of B.1. IP addresses reachable on the customernetwork A 806 a are more generally denoted as A.X and IP addressesreachable on the customer network B 806 b are more generally denoted asB.X.

Nodes, such as routers, on the customer network A 806 a and the customernetwork B 806 b advertise A.X addresses and B.X addresses, respectively,so that the provider edge device PE1 804, and other network 800 nodes,can determine how to route packets to the A.X addresses and B.Xaddresses. Advertisements from customer network A 806 a and customernetwork B 806 b are illustrated by arrows 808 a and 808 b, respectively.

PE1 804 is labeled with site identifier “WDC”, which stands forWashington D.C. Thus, in the illustrated scenario, PE1 804 handlescommunications associated with customer networks in the Washington D.C.area. The use of WDC, or any other specific site identifier, is merelyfor illustrative convenience, and it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the processes described here with respect to PE1 804 canbe carried out by any provider edge device, regardless of the customersite. The description here relates to processes for routing packets tocustomer addresses when multiple backbone networks are employed.Therefore, although nodes at addresses A.X and B.X may be both sourcesand destinations for data, addresses A.X and B.X are referred to as“destination addresses” here for illustrative convenience.

Routing through the network 800 can be performed according to any ofnumerous criteria or policies. Examples include cost-based routing(e.g., least cost routing), customer specified multi-exit discriminators(MEDs), and local preference settings. For purposes of illustration, itis assumed to customer specified policies and local preference settingsare honored, and the manner of routing through the network 800 isaccording to a least cost routing policy.

PE1 804 receives one or more advertisements from nodes in customernetwork A 806 a and customer network B 806 b. The PE1 804 determineswhich of the backbone networks to assign to A.X addresses and which ofthe backbone networks to assign to the B.X addresses. In one embodiment,the PE1 selects backbone networks based on an external least costrouting policy, such as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). In thisembodiment, the shortest exit behavior is maintained regardless of thebackbone network that is selected for each of A.X addresses and B.Xaddresses. In the particular scenario shown in FIG. 8, backbone network802 a is selected to handle communications associated with customernetwork A 806 a and backbone network 802 b is selected to handlecommunications associated with customer network B 806 b.

To enforce the policy of using backbone network 802 a for A.X addressesand backbone network 802 b for B.X addresses, a next hop least costrouting protocol metric is used. In one embodiment, a next hop IGPmetric is used to enforce route selection. PE1 804 advertises a firstnext hop loopback address L0 associated with A.X addresses and a secondnext hop loopback address L1 associated with B.X addresses. Address L0and address L2 each are associated with ports on PE1 804. In oneembodiment, the PE1 uses OSPF tagging to propagate tags associated witheach of L0 and L2 through backbone network 802 a and backbone network802 b. As shown in more detail below, cost metrics can be associatedwith next hop loopback addresses in such a way that packets destined forA.X addresses are routed through backbone network 802 a and packetsdestined for B.X addresses are routed through backbone network 802 b.

In accordance with one embodiment, PE1 804 generates a route map thatincludes routing information related to A.X addresses and B.X addresses.In the particular scenario shown in FIG. 8, the route map may have anassociation between A.X and L0 and another association between A.X andbackbone network 802 a (BB0). Similarly, the route map may have anassociation between B.X and L2 and another association between B.X andbackbone network 802 b (BB2). The identifiers BB0 and BB2 are referredto as community identifiers, and can be propagated through the backbonenetworks in association with their assigned customer address. Asimplified example of a route map is shown below for illustration:

PE1.WDC Route Map

Match A.X

-   -   set next hop L0.PE1.WDC.CUST.NET    -   set community BB0

Match B.X

-   -   set next hop L2.PE1.WDC.CUST.NET    -   set community BB2

Initially, a provider of backbone network services will have onebackbone network, which is a wide area network. The backbone networkservices provider may add one or more additional backbone area networksto its network architecture for a number of reasons. Additional backbonenetworks may provide for better routing efficiency or scalability. Thebackbone network service provider may increase the number of backbonenetworks as a result of a merger with another backbone network serviceprovider. Regardless of the reason for adding one or more backbonenetworks, the backbone network service provider can carry out a processof migrating some network service provider routes to the one or moreadded backbone networks. FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a process that could becarried out to support the migration of ISP routes in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates the exemplary network architecture shown in FIG. 8,wherein community strings are used to facilitate destination-basedselective backbone network routing, and wherein costs are assigned tonext hop loopback addresses in a manner that enforces routing of packetsthrough an assigned backbone network. For ease of illustration, only twobackbone networks are shown: BB0 902 a and BB2 902 b. It will beunderstood that more backbone networks may be provided. A first provideredge device PE1.WDC 904 a interfaces with customer networks inWashington D.C., while a second provider edge device PE1. LAX 904 binterfaces with customer networks in Los Angeles.

PE1.WDC 904 a is communicably connected to a first WDC-based core node906 a, labeled P.BB0.WDC, on BB0 902 a, and a second WDC-based core node906 b, labeled P.BB2.WDC, on BB2 902 b. PEL.LAX 904 b is communicablyconnected to a first LAX-based core node 908 a, labeled P.BB0.WDC, onBB0 902 a, and a second LAX-based core node 908 b, labeled P.BB2.WDC, onBB2 902 b.

In the illustrated scenario, next hop loopback address L0 has beenassigned to customer addresses A.X and next hop loopback address L2 hasbeen assigned to customer addresses B.X. Embodiments advertise L0 and L2in a manner that ensures that address L0 is reached via BB0 902 a and L2is reached via BB2 902 b. In one specific scenario, B.X traffic ismigrated to BB2 902 b using a cost-based redistribution process.

To illustrate, PE1.WDC 904 a may advertise L0 at an initial cost and L2at an initial cost to both the first WDC-based core node 906 a and thesecond WDC-based core node 906 b. The initial cost may be the same. Thesecond WDC-based core node 906 b redistributes the L0 and L2 addressesby advertising only L2 with a tag of WDC. The second core node 906 btypically adds a cost to the initial cost attributed to L2. The secondLAX-based core node 908 b receives the advertisement and forms anotheradvertisement.

In forming this advertisement, the second LAX-based core node 908 breduces the cost associated with address L2 to be slightly less than thecost associated with L0. The second LAX-based core node 908 b includes a“redistributes” tag in the advertisement and communicates theadvertisement to PE1.LAX 904 b. PE1.LAX 904 b creates a route mapincluding an association between B.X, L2, and BB2 902 b. As such, whenPE1.LAX 904 b receives packets that are addressed to B.X, PE1.LAX 904 bwill first identify L2 as the least cost route to reach B.X, and willthen determine that the second LAX-based core node 908 b is the leastcost node to send the packets to.

FIG. 10 illustrates a dual internal cost-based link state generationprocess in which edge routers on the edges of backbone networks in amultiple parallel backbone network architecture run two internalcost-based link state generation processes for a wide area networkfacing side and a local area network facing side.

The network configuration 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes a firstlocal area network 1002 and a second local area network 1004.Communicably connected to the LAN 1002 is a provider edge node PE1 1006;communicably connected to the LAN 1004 is another provider edge node PE21008. A first backbone network BB1 1010 and a second backbone networkBB2 1012 are communicably disposed between the first LAN 1002 and thesecond LAN 1004. The first backbone network 1010 includes four corenodes: N1P1 1014, N1P2 1016, N1P3 1018, and N1P4 1020. The secondbackbone includes four core nodes: N2P1 1022, N2P2 1024, N2P3 1026, andN2P4 1028.

In the scenario illustrated in FIG. 10, the second backbone network 1012is added to the network configuration 1000, in which the first networkbackbone network 1010 initially existed and handled allprovider/customer communication traffic between the first provider edgenode 1006 and the second provider edge node 1008. After the secondbackbone network 1012 is added, selected provider/customer communicationtraffic can be handled by the second backbone network 1012. The firstbackbone network 1010 may or may not serve as a backup network to handlecommunication traffic that is handled by the second backbone network1012.

A redistribution process is performed to cause the selectedcommunication traffic to handled by the second backbone network 1012.After the communication traffic is selected to be handled by the newbackbone network 1012, the redistribution process generally involvesperforming an internal least cost routing protocol process within thefirst LAN 1002 and the second LAN 1004, and performing another internalleast cost routing protocol process between core nodes in the secondbackbone network 1012. First, selected provider/customer addressesand/or routes are assigned to the backbone network 1012, and a localport address (e.g., L2, 2.2.2.2) is assigned to the selectedcustomer/provider addresses and/or routes. Then, internal least costrouting protocol processes are performed to propagate the local portaddresses throughout the network configuration 1000 to ensure thatcommunication traffic is routed across the correct backbone network.

To illustrate, a local or LAN-based OSPF process is performed betweenPE1 1006 and the core nodes N1P1 1014. N1P2 1016, N2P1 1022, and N2P21024. This LAN-based OSPF process 1030 involves propagating OSPF tags tothe core nodes. In the particular scenario illustrated in FIG. 10, PE11006 sends a first tag (e.g., tag1) to core nodes of N1P1 1014 and N1P21016 that corresponds to the route associated with a next hop loopbackaddress L0 (1.1.1.1). PE1 1006 sends another tag (e.g., tag2) to thecore nodes N2P1 1022 and N2P2 1024 that corresponds to the routeassociated with next hop loopback address L2 (2.2.2.2).

The core routers on the second backbone network 1012 perform anotherOSPF process 1032 within the second backbone network 1012. In theparticular exemplary scenario, the core routers N2P1 1022 and N2P2 1024propagate next hop loopback tag2 associated with address L2 (2.2.2.2) tocore routers N2P3 1026 and N2P4 1028.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm 1100 for carrying outleast cost routing in a multiple backbone network architecture. In thisembodiment, it is assumed that a provider edge node learns of, orotherwise determines, destination network addresses on networks beingserved, such as ISP networks. In a selecting operation 1102, a provideredge node selects a backbone for handling communications associated withone or more destination network addresses. In one embodiment of theselecting operation, for each destination network address, the provideredge node performs an external least cost routing protocol process, suchas border gateway protocol (BGP), to choose a backbone network from aplurality of backbone networks, which will result in least cost routingof packets to the destination network address.

In an assigning operation 1104, a next hop loopback address is assignedto each destination network address. The next hop loopback addresscorresponds to a port on the provider edge network that is reachable viathe selected backbone network. In an advertising operation 1106, eachnext hop loopback address and associated destination network address isadvertised over one or more of the backbone networks. One embodiment ofthe advertising operation 1106 involves carrying out an internal leastcost routing protocol process, such as OSPF/ISIS or other InternalGateway Protocol (IGP) process. Using OSPF, tags associated with thenext hop loopback address and/or the assigned backbone network arepropagated through one or more backbone networks to identify backboneroutes to be used for associated destination network addresses.

In a setting operation 1108, another provider edge node, such as asource provider edge node, sets a cost associated with each next hoploopback address to be reached across one or more of the backbonenetworks. In one embodiment, an Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) and/orISIS protocol process is performed between the source provider edge nodeand a core routing node on the assigned backbone network to cause thecost of reaching the next hop loopback address to be lower when usingthe assigned backbone network than any of the other networks. In thisprocess, the next hop loopback address can be tagged with the backbonenetwork associated with the next hop loopback address.

Exemplary Computing Device

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a computing device 1200 upon whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented and carried out.The components of the computing device 1200 are illustrative ofcomponents that a SIP registration server may include or a servercomputer that carries out a relocation determination process asdiscussed above.

As discussed herein, embodiments of the present invention includevarious steps. A variety of these steps may be performed by hardwarecomponents or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, whichmay be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processorprogrammed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively,the steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software,and/or firmware.

According to the present example, the computing device 1200 includes abus 1201, at least one processor 1202, at least one communication port1203, a main memory 1204, a removable storage media 1205, a read onlymemory 1206, and a mass storage 1207. Processor(s) 1202 can be any knowprocessor, such as, but not limited to, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2®processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® or Athlon MP® processor(s) or Motorola®lines of processors. Communication port(s) 1203 can be any of an RS-232port for use with a modem based dialup connection, a 10/100 Ethernetport, a Gigabit port using copper or fiber, or a USB port. Communicationport(s) 1203 may be chosen depending on a network such a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or any network to which thecomputing device 1200 connects. The computing device 1200 may be incommunication with peripheral devices (not shown) such as, but notlimited to, printers, speakers, cameras, microphones, or scanners.

Main memory 1204 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other dynamicstorage device(s) commonly known in the art. Read only memory 1206 canbe any static storage device(s) such as Programmable Read Only Memory(PROM) chips for storing static information such as instructions forprocessor 1202. Mass storage 1207 can be used to store information andinstructions. For example, hard disks such as the Adaptec® family ofSCSI drives, an optical disc, an array of disks such as RAID, such asthe Adaptec family of RAID drives, or any other mass storage devices maybe used.

Bus 1201 communicatively couples processor(s) 1202 with the othermemory, storage and communication blocks. Bus 1201 can be a PCI/PCI-X,SCSI, or USB based system bus (or other) depending on the storagedevices used. Removable storage media 1205 can be any kind of externalhard-drives, floppy drives, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, Compact Disc—Read OnlyMemory (CD-ROM), Compact Disc—Re-Writable (CD-RW), Digital VideoDisk-Read Only Memory (DVD-ROM).

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer toparticular features, the scope of this invention also includesembodiments having different combinations of features and embodimentsthat do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations together with allequivalents thereof.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges can be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A network architecture comprising a backbone node including aplurality of independent routers or switches connected in a matrix,wherein the matrix includes a plurality of stages of routers orswitches, to form a node having a node switching capacity that isgreater than the node switching capacity of the individual routers orswitches.
 2. The network architecture as recited in claim 1, wherein therouters or switches are connected in an N×M IP-based CLOS matrix,wherein N>1 is the number of stages in the matrix and M>1 is the numberof routers or switches in each stage.
 3. The network architecture inclaim 2, wherein traffic is directed among the routers or switches usingIP or Ethernet routing protocols, and wherein traffic is load balancedusing one or more load balancing techniques selected from a groupconsisting of equal cost load balancing, traffic engineering, orflow-based load balancing.
 4. The network architecture in claim 3,wherein links are provisioned on the routers or switches in a mannerthat supports the traffic balancing technique performed by the node.